OLYMPIA – Catch and size limits have been lifted temporarily for fisheries in about two-dozen eastern Washington waters scheduled for rotenone treatments to improve future fishing.

Anglers will be allowed to take unlimited fish from the targeted waters before they are closed for rotenone treatment to eliminate undesirable fish species that compete with trout, according to Jim Uehara, a fisheries manager with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Rotenone, a naturally occurring substance derived from the roots of tropical plants, has been found in scientific studies to present no significant health risk to people, pets, livestock or wildlife. The lake rehabilitations are carried out under a permit from the state Department of Ecology.

Most of the waters scheduled for treatment this fall have overly abundant populations of carp, tench, goldfish, sunfish or other small species, and most will be re-stocked next year with rainbow and/or cutthroat trout. Cee Cee Ah Creek in Pend Oreille County will be treated to remove eastern brook trout populations, in an effort to restore native westslope cutthroat trout.

By county, rule changes and closure dates for waters scheduled for treatment are:

Grant County: Desert Wildlife Area Lakes (Harris, Dune, Sedge, Tern and Desert Wildlife Area ponds); Beda and Brookies lakes – No size or catch limits through Sept. 13; closed to fishing Sept.14 until further notice; at Beda and Brookies lakes, selective gear rules are no longer in effect; fishing allowed from a floating device equipped with a motor.